Up Through the Ashes by: Kamelot

One of my favourite Kamelot songs. Buy their material! From the album Ghost Opera.
So you can hear
They claim with conviction
You've got a crowd
So what's your appeal
Your voice, your predictions
They're getting loud
But if I let you die, you must forgive me
Raise me up, up through the ashes
Take me on, into the light
You want to die
Create a sensation
Be makin' the news
An eye for an eye
A king of creation
The king of the Jews
Before I let you die, you must forgive me
Raise me up, up through the ashes
Take me on, into the light
Give a sign of remorse
(I don't need your blood)
You will hang on the cross
For playing god
You the people must decide
The self-proclaimed prophet, or the novice murderer
The king or the convict, it's up to you
So tell me which way to go
Raise me up, up through the ashes
Take me on, into the light
Raise me up, up through the ashes
Take me on, into the light

[@ullrik]

this band is great - and the lyrics are great aswell! I'm a christian, but I love all those perspectives - other religions inspire me aswell.. great :)

[@TheRoland19111]

This song makes the Bible apears to be so awesome...

[@Kuroth_]

I believe that's where the lines "Give a sign of remorse / I don't need your blood / You will hang on the cross / for playing God" come from. Pilate tried to convince Jesus to deny his claims to be "King of the Jews" and "Son of God", to keep from having to crucify him. The whole song really seems to fit into that point of view: first-person perspective of Pontius Pilate at Jesus' trial.

[@m00nk00ki3]

I

[@jakobfel2]

KurothNeidra, that is exactly what the story is. I have looked for any other stories that would be similar or even just a little close, and there aren't a great deal of famous ones. (Can't remember the stories off hand) Plus, it just makes sense. It's almost like Pilate's prayer to Jesus.

[@CarlSlime]

oh, i always thought it was- The Self Proclaimed Prophet, or the MADDEST murder

[@XtremeMuffinMan]

I always thought the song was about Julius Caesar, but never understood the "King of the Jews" line. There definitely are a lot of parallels between the song and Shakespeare's play. It's like it's Caesar talking about Brutus after he's died, during Mark Antony's speech.

[@TearisShatteredMoon]

Yes i have as you said I said its from both sides. They do songs on mythology and songs anti religion its nothing for or against them its a simple fact I for one ADORE bands that do things on cultures and history keeps knowledge going

[@Kuroth_]

I've always thought this song could be from the point of view of Pontius Pilate. For those who aren't familiar with the story of Jesus' trial and death, the Roman governor at the time was Pilate. He supposedly did not want Jesus' blood to rest on his hands; however, he also didn't want to deny the people what they wanted. So he offered a choice. He would either set Jesus free, or set a known murderer free, based on the choice of the people. After the people chose, he washed his hands of guilt

[@xxAtmoskxx]

GalactickKnigh is right, and to all who say this has nothing with religion - listen the lyrcis before you will say something stupid... Give a sign of remorse (I don't need your blood) You will hang on the cross For playing god You the people must decide The self-proclaimed prophet, or the novice murderer The king or the convict, it's up to you So tell me which way to go

[@TearisShatteredMoon]

Alot of Kamelot songs are about the bible or mythology around the bibical times. But singing something and telling its story doesnt mean that is what you believe. He sings songs about elisabeth bathory too i very much doubt he blieves in what she did to people as right. In the end whether for or against something its up to you to decide and i appluade Kamelot for doing songs from both viewpoints and giving people the info to choose for themselves.

[@CallingCrowe]

It's rather clearly about Pontus Pilate, as depicted in the bible letting the crowd decide whether he should crucify Barabas (a serial killer) or Jesus (Who had undermined the Pharisees.)

[@bjd020695]

Khan is being Pilate. "Show me a sign of remorse" is him saying to Christ... that. Pilate didn't really want to kill Jesus. And the convict is Barbabas referred to in the song.

[@lSMiLeYl]

i think i got a new favorite =D at least for a while lol.

[@bjd020695]

On the lyrics list, it says, "My King of Creation, King of the Jews" So... there you have it.

[@Absanthe]

I don't happen to be religious at all but it does seem to be using the Jesus hanging on the cross scene as imagery for the song. "Before I let you die, you must forgive me." I believe they're using the whole justification for killing and people assuming they will be forgiven by their "God" is implied in this song.

[@CallingCrowe]

They aren't a Christian band, but religion and spirituality are common subjects in their lyrics.

[@ideal9544]

Its malice murderer, not novice and its who's free to go not which way to go Other than that great vid & song tnx for uploading it!

[@DrakeSilmore]

Isn't it maddest murderer, since malice would be malicious murderer?

[@frostynorth]

D'oh, nevermind. I just realised, it's Pontius Pilate: You the people must decide The self-proclaimed prophet, or the novice murderer The king or the convict, it's up to you So tell me which way to go

[@bjd020695]

Yeah, that's not an unreasonable assumption. But you know what they say about the word "assume" and, in this case, it's true.

[@Tirryna]

the whole song is from Pilot's view.

[@xionz13]

w0w so many religoous comments but i don't care. i just love the music and that's all i can say

[@frostynorth]

Very interesting song. I can't tell if the song is sympathizing with Jesus or criticizing him. Maybe it's like the lyrics say, it's up to the listener to decide for themselves? To me, I think it might sound like one of the two men who were crucified with him.

[@DosDos20]

yeah the singer is norwegian. a bit of accent in there

[@Simn0thing]

Christians adopted that, it wasn't originally theres, but came from Hammurabi's law.

[@speersword]

My apologies for assuming you were defending it. I hope that you could see why I would assume such a thing, though.

[@BOrnRdy]

Good Lyrics, but what i saw in Human Stain, y didnt he apply it here?

[@Cynxos]

Its not king of the jews, its "Can you reduce."

[@PhoenixPhire22]

The whole song is from Pilot view. And taking sides with Jesus or Barabas? I don't think that was the point he was trying to make. Just as in the song is not pro or anti Christian... just telling a story. I don't know what Kamelots religious beliefs are but they sound to me like seeking agnostics from the tone of a lot of their stuff. Anyway the chorus is amazing.

[@AissurDrol]

It is Can you reduce. Not King of the Jews. It doesn't even sound like King of the Jews. This sounds like a song about the Holocaust.

[@DrakeSilmore]

It's King of the Jews, the song is about Jesus.

[@urbium]

Roy Khan is a bible-thumper, last I checked.

[@bjd020695]

Sorry. I, er, drank a little last night. I didn't defend the bible, just used it as a reference. There's a little difference.

[@speersword]

It doesn't say, "My king" first of all, second of all I don't think those lyrics are completely correct. Just like a Christian to believe everything he reads.

[@TBT8]

No he epic failed. Hilarious my ass!

[@afaultytoaster]

these comments are a steaming pile of failure